Many indoor environments have been hit with a SUDDEN MENACE that may very well become as big as the asbestos problem has been.

Unfortunately, while supplies were short in 2004-2006 in the U.S., there were large shipments of drywall imported from China that were contaminated with sulphur type substances and are now showing a great degree of damage to structures and air quality within the buildings where it was installed.  It is estimated that over 500,000 lbs. of drywall from China reached our builders during that time.  The drywall was used in as many as 41 states.

Drywall is made of gypsum board. The Chinese drywall has gypsum  with other substances used as fillers, some of which came from the waste of coal-fired plants.

Complaints range from irritating odors (like rotten eggs) to damage evident in wiring, HVAC and refrigerator coils that are copper, thermostats, plumbing etc. The sulphur compounds "outgassing" inside the walls and within the living spaces are corroding the copper. Even pennies left out in a home are turning black in these environments.

Health complaints are being noted, but there is much ongoing research about whether there is a connection to breathing the fumes and illness.

There is NO known "fix" to this issue as far as treatments to the existing drywall. The drywall MUST be replaced to stop the problem. Please do not allow a contractor to come in and attempt to surface treat this - you will be wasting your precious money!

If you suspect your home may be suffering from this problem, immediately contact your builder and request replacement drywall.   Some builders are quietly complying to these requests, some are refusing, some are out of business.

Lab testing is available to detect the contaminated drywall, but it is very expensive. There is some screening that can be done visually we can assist you with if you suspect you have a problem.  We would check your HVAC system, refrigerator coils, wire connections etc. and take photos to document. A report would be presented to you so you could go to your builder or insurance company with the evidence. Please contact us if you feel you need verified lab results.

If you are not in our general area and need help, please call for guidance or referrals.

Posted articles on this topic are in the Resources section or click on links below:

Chinese Drywall Whitepaper from NORMI

Chinese Drywall Next Import Scandal?

Chinese Drywall Probes Started

Drywall Suspicions Perfect Storm of Misery - CNN